ACKNOWLEDGING THE NAME CHANGE OF THE NAVAJO NATION CHAPTER
FORMERLY CALLED CANONCITO AND NOW TO BE KNOWN AS THE
TO'HAJIILEE CHAPTER OF THE NAVAJO NATION.

WHEREAS, the Navajo chapter formerly called Canoncito
is located about forty minutes west of Albuquerque and north
of interstate 40; and

WHEREAS, the name "Canoncito", a Spanish word meaning
"little canyon", was bestowed on the residents of that Navajo
chapter by President Harry S. Truman and the United States
congress when congress recognized the "Canoncito Band of
Navajo Indians"; and

WHEREAS, the people living in the area known as
Canoncito have traditionally called the place where they live
To'Hajiilee, or "the place where the water is drawn up"; and

WHEREAS, the students in a law class at the To'Hajiilee
community high school researched the name of their community
and petitioned the Canoncito chapter and then the Navajo
Nation council to concur in the change of the name of the
community to its traditional name; and

WHEREAS, the Canoncito chapter and the Navajo Nation
council have concurred and endorsed the change of name; and

WHEREAS, the support of the house of representatives of
New Mexico is requested in acknowledging the name change of
the Canoncito Navajo chapter to the To'Hajiilee Navajo
chapter;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that it
acknowledge the change of name of the Canoncito Navajo
chapter to the To'Hajiilee Navajo chapter and acknowledge the
effort of the students at To'Hajiilee community high school
in working to restore the true Navajo name to their chapter;
and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state change highway
and road signs, maps and any other public documents printed
by the state to reflect the Navajo chapter of To'Hajiilee;
and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United States
department of the interior be requested to acknowledge the
change of name of the To'Hajiilee chapter of the Navajo
Nation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
transmitted to the chapter president of the To'Hajiilee
chapter of the Navajo Nation, the secretary of the interior,
the secretary of highway and transportation and the speaker
of the Navajo Nation council.